CURRENT ADDRESS:
Beverly (Smith) Sanford
310 Venus St Apt.G31
Collins MS 39428-3874
601.765.1369
My father was Chester Everett Smith who was reared in Carollton County, Mississippi. My
parents separated when I was an infant. I was reared by my grandmother who lived on North 4th
Street right across the alley from Burch's service station on the corner of 4th and Plaza. It was
right across the street from Marilyn Burch. I went to Beech Crest, Woodruff and Central High
School with the class. I think that Mrs. Bryan was my first grade teacher. I remember too that I
had Mrs. Walker and I remember Mrs. Miles, probably in the 5th grade.
After graduation I worked for awhile as the Deputy County Court Clerk of Phillips County. That was a good job but was very low
paying. So I left there and worked for Sanders Auto for about three years. Then I worked as a book keeper for Southern
Wholesale.
I married Jack Norris in 1959 and had a dauthter, Kelly, who was born October 25, 1960. Jack left in 1963 and in that same
year there were several deaths in my family including my father. I became ill during that period and was hospitalized
for awhile.
I then began working in a bank in West Helena. Jack and I divorced. I married
Michael Drew Bevil, Sr. We had three children: Sherry Lynn, born January 12, 1965; Buddy, born Feburary 4, 1966;
and Billy, who was born June 12, 1968. My husband was from Mountain View, Arkansas, where
his parents continued to live. Michael and I separated and I was ill and hospitalized again for a
period of time. We were divorced, and his parents in Mountain View essentially reared my
children. My son, Buddy, was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident on March 18, 1984.
After another period of hosptitalization, I met and married
David Lee Sanford. He was from Collins and has many relatives here.
So we moved here where we lived together for 24 years. David died September 2nd
1995 . Since his death I have continued to live in Collins, except that I went to Kansas and lived
near Kelly for a short while. But I decided to return to Collins. I have worked at the Jr Food
Mart in Collins, worked at a chicken poultry farm and was a certified nurses aide in Hattiesburg.
Fortunately for me, I am close to my children. Both my daughters have three children. Kelly married Mike Benzel and lives
in Macksville, Kansas. She works there in a local bank. Sherry married Mike Leggett and lives here in Collins.
She is the manager of Ward's, a popular fast food franchise.. My son, Billy, lives in Ashland, Wisconsin.
Sherry brought me to the 40 year reunion which I enjoyed, and promises to bring me to the 50 year
reunion. I am looking forward to seeing everyone.
My daughter, Kelly, her husband, Mike, and their daughters.
Stephanie Michelle Benzel, age 17, Renee Lynn Benzel 21, Mike and Kelly Benzel, and Christina Marie Blanton 23.